In the woods near the city of Nykøbing Falster in southern Denmark lies a big pile of broken branches. At first glance, it looks like nothing more than a pile of discarded garden waste. But tradition holds that every time someone passes it they must throw a branch on top of the mound. Those who fail to do so risk being pursued by the ghost of an evil forest ranger.
This eerie landmark, known as Stikhokken (literally “the pile of sticks”), was first mentioned about 150 years ago, though the tradition itself is said to be around 400 years old. Its origins trace back to the mid-1600s, when a forest ranger was murdered by a poacher at this very spot. The man, however, was despised by the villagers, who refused to give him a proper burial. Instead, his body was left to decay on the forest floor—a choice that would have lasting consequences.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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